Portable hydraulic veneer mill



Get. 31, 1961 A. E.

PORTABLE HYDRAULIC VENEER MILL KARSCHNEY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 2, 1959 w A+w e t as H um i whfiwfi fig N.\|Y a: "in GM .0. v. N k N E T g 1 & mhrlm g g! ow n Q 7 w t: 9w $1 2 mm mm W I q u QS/ v v m: 7 Q 3 N a Albert E. Karsc/mey LNV EN TOR.

Oct. 31, 1961 A. E. KARSCHNEY PORTABLE HYDRAULIC VENEER MILL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 2, 1959 1 I y 8 R. m 8 t m m a V vm \ow K m 8 E W I! i a E w\ m w NN V Q A w b ml. I om m R 2 ow mm g l n w\\\\\\ 3 Q E Oct. 31, 1961 A. E KARSCHNEY 3,006,391

PORTABLE HYDRAULIC VENEER MILL Filed Jan. 2, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 lga Albert E. Karsc/mey INVENTOR.

United States Patent O 3,006,391 PORTABLE HYDRAULIC VENEER MILL Albert E. Karschney, Aura, Mich. Filed Jan. 2, 1959, Ser. No. 784,535 8 Claims. (Cl. 144-162) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in wood working equipment, and more specifically to an improved veneer mill.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a veneer mill which is of an extremely simple construction and which is self-contained whereby it may be readily transported.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved veneer mill which is so constructed that the normal soaking vats for the block from which veneer is to be sliced is eliminated and the veneer mill is provided with means for treating the block while the veneer is being sliced therefrom, the veneer mill including its own water heater and circulating pump so that heated water may be continuously applied to the block.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved veneer mill having a hydraulic operating system for elevating the block support thereof in response to the return stroke of a slicing blade so that after a sheet of veneer has been sliced, the block will automatically be raised an amount equal to the thickness of the veneer in preparation for the next slice.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved hydraulic system for a veneer mill including pairs of extensible hydraulic motors connected together in series whereby like movement of the two motors in each series is assured.

A further object of this invention is to provide a portable veneer mill which is self-contained including a frame which has mounted thereon a tank for soaking a block during the slicing of veneer therefrom, a veneer slicing blade, means for driving the blade during the slicing action, and means for automatically elevating the block upon the return stroke of the blade in order that the block may be automatically elevated a distance equal to the thickness of the veneer being sliced therefrom.

These together with other objects and advantages which will automatically become apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the veneer mill which is the subject of this invention and shows a block of wood from which veneer is sliced in position in the veneer mill;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the veneer mill of FIGURE 1 and shows further the details thereof;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged end view as viewed fi'om the right in FIGURE 1 and shows generally the relationship of the various components of the veneer mill;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 4,4 of FIGURE 2 and shows the specific mounting of the carriage for the slicing blade and the mounting of the extensible fluid motors for operating the slicing blade carriage with respect to the frame of the slicing mill;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of FIGURE 1 and shows the specific manner in which a block of wood is mounted in position for the slicing of sheets of veneer therefrom;

I FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE 5 and shows the slicing blade in the 3,006,391 Patented Oct. 31, 1961 2 process of slicing a veneer sheet from the wood block; and

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic system of the veneer mill.

Referring now .to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there are illustrated the details of the veneer mill which is the subject of this invention, the veneer mill being referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The veneer mill 10 includes a frame 12 which may be of any desired construction. The frame 12, as illustrated in the drawings, includes a pair of lower frame rails 14 which are disposed in spaced parallel relation and which are connected together at their opposite ends by means of transverse frame members 16. The frame rails 14 are also connected together intermediate their ends by means of similar transverse frame members 18 as best illustrated in FIGURE 5.

Extending upwardly from the ends of the frame rails 14 are end members 20. The end members 20 have secured to their upper ends longitudinally extending, vertically disposed channel members 22, the channel members 22 each having a horizontal lower flange 24 connected to the upper ends of the end members 20, a vertical web 26 and an upper horizontal flange 28. The channel members are connected together at their right ends, as viewed in FIGURE 1, by means of a transverse vertical member 30, shown in FIGURE 3. The channel members are also connected together at their left ends by a transverse vertical member 32. Disposed intermediate the transverse members 30 and 32 are transverse vertical members 34 and 36. Also extending between and secured to the channel members lower flanges 24 is a horizontal plate 38 which is best illustrated in FIG- URES 4 and 5. The transverse frame members 32 and 36 define transverse frame members 34 and 36 define the ends of a second tank 42.

The upper flanges 28 of the channel members 22 function as rails for a carriage which is referred to in gen eral by the reference numeral 44. The carriage 44, as is best shown in FIGURE 1, is formed of a pair of longitudinal members 46 which are connected together at their ends by transverse members 48.

Secured to each of the longitudinal members 46 adjacent the ends thereof are brackets 50 disposed in depending relation and carrying axles 52 on which there are mounted support rollers 54. The rollers 54 are aligned with and engage the upper flanges 28 of the channel members 22 The carriage 44 is also guided on the vertical web 26 of the channel members 22 by means of horizontally disposed guide rollers 56 mounted on vertical axles 58 which are in turn carried by generally hooked shaped brackets 60 secured to thennderside of the individual longitudinal members 46 as is shown in FIGURE 4.

Carried by the carriage 44 in depending relation is a slicing blade 62, which as is best illustrated in FIGURE 1 is diagonally disposed and is secured to one of the longitudinal members 46 and one of the transverse members 48. I

In order that the carriage 44 may be reciprocated to move the slicing blade 62 through a slicing cycle, there is provideda pair of identical extensible hydraulic motors 64. Each of the hydraulic motors 64 includes an elongated cylinder 66 in which there is mounted a piston (not shown) to which there is connected a piston rod 68. The right hand end of each cylinder 66, as viewed in FIGURE 2, is pivotally mounted with respect to the frame 12 by means of a pivot pin 70 passing through an ear 72 secured to the cylinder 66, the pivot pin 70 being carried by a mounting bracket 74 secured to .its respective channel member 22. As is best shown in FIGURE 2, the left hand end of the piston rod 68 is pivotally connected by means of a pivot pin 76 to a depending arm 78 whose upper end is secured to an extension 80 of a respective one of the longitudinal members 46 of the carriage 44. p I Dis posed'heneath the tank 42 adjacent opposite ends thereof are identical extensible hydraulic motors 82. Eachfof the hydraulic motors 82 is supported by a respective one of the transverse frame members18 and is centrally located, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 3. 'Each of the hydraulic motors 82 includes a cylin- (her 84 having a base portion 86 seated on its respective transverse frame member 18. Slidably disposed within the'cylinder' 84 is a piston (not' shown) to which there is connected a vertically disposed piston rod 88.

Each of the piston rods 88 passes through the plate 38 and is sealed relative thereto by means of a packing fitting 90. The upper end of the individual piston rod 88; is provided with a head 92 which is secured to the underside of a board support 94.

The left end of the board support 94, as viewed in FIG- URE 5, is provided with an upstanding flange 96. Carried by the flange 96 and facing to the right .is'a pair of transversely disposed dogs 98.

. Secured to the right part of the board support 94, as viewed in FIGURE 5, is a pair of transversely spaced adjustable dog assemblies 100; Each of the dog assem- .blies 100 includes a bracket 102 which has pivotally connected thereto an upstanding arm 104. Carried by the upper end of the arm 104 and facing to the left, as viewed in FIGURE 5, is a dog 106. Disposed to the right of each of the brackets 102 is a bracket 108. Carried by the upper end of the arm 104 is a bracket 110. Extending between the brackets 108 and 110 is an adjustable link 112 which may be used to position the dogs 106 in a block of wood, such as the block 114 from which veneer is to be sliced.

The tank 40 is normally not used although it may be used as a soaking tank for blocks of wood, such as the block 114, from which veneer is to be sliced. On the other 'hand, during the veneer slicing operation, the tank- 42 is to be used for the treatment of the block of .wood'114. Disposed in overlying relation to the centralpart of the tank 42 is a spray pipe 116 for the purpose of directing downwardly onto the block 114 a spray of heated water. The spray pipe 116 is connected bymeans of the pipe 118 to a combination water pump and water heater unit 120 which may be of any design. A returnpipe 122 from the tank 42 is also connected to the combination water pump and water heater 120. Thus water may be heated, sprayed over the block 114 and returned to the combination water pump and water heater for recirculation. The combination water pump andwater heater 120 is mounted within the frame 12 beneath the tank 40.

7 Also mounted under the tank 40 is a combination hy- 7 draulic pump and reservoir unit which is referredto in general by the reference numeral 123. As is best illustrated in the diagrammatic view of FIGURE 7, the pump of the combination hydraulic pump and reservoir unit 123 is referred to in general by the reference numeral 124 and the reservoir is referred to in general by the reference numeral 126. The pump 124 is connected to the reservoir 126 by aline 128 for receiving hydraulic fluid therefrom.

Extending from the hydraulic pump 124 is a line 130 which terminates in a valve 132. The valve 132 is mounted in a return line 134 which extends between the left end of one of the hydraulic motors 64 and the reservoir 126. Extending between the opposite end of the one hydraulic motor 64 and the left end of the other hydraulic motors 64 is a line 136. Coupled to the right end of the second hydraulic motor 64 is a line 138 which is in turn connected to a valve 140. A line 142 extends between the valve 140 and the return line 134 intermediate the valve 132 and the reservoir 126. Another line 144 extends between the line 130 and the valve 140..

It will be readily apparent from the hydraulic system of FIGURE 7 that by selectively positioning the valves 132 and 140 the piston rod 68 of the two'fluid motors 64 may be extended and retracted in unison. However, once the two hydraulic motors 64 have been adjusted so as to act in unison, they will be retained in this relation so that they will operate equally on the carriage 44. Thus by controlling the opening and closing of the valves 132 and 140, the carriage 144 may be reciprocated to move the slicing blade across the block 114 to slice a slice of Veneer 145 therefrom, as is viewed in FIGURE 6.

Referring once again to FIGURE 7 in particular, it will be seen that the hydraulic motors 82 are connected in series by means of a line 146 which extends from the lower end of one of the hydraulic motors 82 to the upper end of the other of the hydraulic motors 82. Connected to the upper end of the hydraulic motor 82 to whose lower end the line 146 is connected is a return line 148. A supply line 150 is connected to the lower end of the other of the hydraulic motors 82. The opposite end of the line 150 is connected to the reservoir 126. Also, the upper end of the line 148 is connected to the reservoir 126.

Mounted in the line 150 is a piston type pump which is referred to in general by the reference numeral .152 and includes a cylinder 154 in which is mounted for reciprocation a piston (not shown) to which there is connected a piston rod 156. As is shown in FIGURE 3, the piston pump cylinder 154 is supported by means of a bracket 158 which is carried by the plate 30 and which is connected to a support ear 160 on the cylinder 154. The piston rod 156 is mounted in alignment with the carriage 44 for engagement by the carriage 44, see FIGURE 2, so that upon the return stroke of the carriage 44, the pump 152 will be actuated. The position of the pump 152 with respect to the carriage 44 will be such that the effective movement of the piston of'the pump 152 will be such as to pump that amount of hydraulic fluid necessary to raise the board support 94 a distance equal to the thickness of the slice of veneer 146 being removed from the block 114. Thus, upon the return stroke of the carriage 44 and the slicing blade 62, the block 114 will automatically be elevated a distance equal to the desired thickness of the slice of veneer to be removed from the block 114 and the block 114 is again positioned for the next'reciprocating movement of the slicing blade 62.

In order that the pump 152 may function, there is disposed in the line 150 intermediate the pump 152 and the reservoir 126 a check valve 162 which permits flow only from the reservoir 126 to the cylinder 154. Also v disposed in the line 150 intermediate the pump 152 and the fluid motor 82 is a check valve 164 which permits flow of hydraulic fluid only from the pump 152 to the fluid motor 82 to which it is connected.

In: order that the piston rods 88 may be returned to their original position after being manually elevated or after being elevated by utilizing the pump 1 24, or after being 1 independently elevated to compensate for odd shaped blocks of wood, additional piping is provided. This additional piping includes a bypass line 166 which extends'between, parts of the line on opposite sides of the check valves 162 and 164. Flow through the bypass 166'is controlled by means of the valve 168. The return line 148 'is also connected to the line 150 by a short length of piping 170 in which there is mounted a control valve 172.

The return line 148 connecting with a line 173 extending, from the pump 124 and is coupled thereto by means of a valve 174. The line 173 also connecting with the line 146 and is coupled thereto'by means of a. valve 176. Bypassing the valve 174 is aline 178 which. is connected to the. line .173 intermediate the valve.174 and. the pump 122 and whose opposite end is connected to the line 146 by means of the valve 176. Also connected to the line 173 intermediate the pump 124 and the valve 174 is one end of a line 180. The opposite end of the line 180 is connected to the line 150 adjacent its respective fluid motor 82. Flow through the line 180 is controlled by means of a control valve 182.

Although the frame 12 of the veneer mill is illustrated as being mounted on the ground or some other suitable place, if desired, it may be provided with wheels or mounted on a trailer and readily transported from one locale to another.

The operation of the device as disclosed in FIGURE 7 is as follows. A veneer block is placed in the machine, clamped in place and adjusted so that the slicing blade will contact the block throughout its full length. This is accomplished through the manipulation of valves 168, 170, 174, 176 and 182. It is assumed that the pistonrods 88 are fully extended, for more easily clamping the block to the support 94, and that the block is smaller on the left end, with all the valves being closed.

First, the valve 168 is opened and valve 176 is actuated to connect the bottom of the motor 82 at the left to the top of the motor 82 at the right. Then the valve 174 is positioned so that all the flow from the pump 124 moves through the pipe 173 to the top of the motor 82 at the left, forcing the oil from the bottom of the same to the top of the motor 82 at the right through the pipe 146. This forces the oil from the bottom of motor 82 at the right through the pipe 150 and valve 168 and pipe 166 to the reservoir 126. When the motor 82 at the left is at the proper level, it may be blocked OE and the motor 82 at the right lowered independently by closing the valve 174 and positioning properly the valve 176 so that all of the flow from the pump 124 moves through pipe 173 and 178 to the top of the motor 82 at the right. When the block is in position for slicing, the valve 174 is positioned so that oil may flow from the top of the motor 82 at the left through valve 174 and pipe 148 to the reservoir 126. The valve 176 is adjusted so that oil will flow from the top of the motor 82 at the right to the bottom of the motor 82 at the left and the valve 168 is closed.

At this time, the veneer mill is ready for slicing. Assuming that the motors 64 are in retracted position, the control valve 132 is adjusted so that oil may flow from the rod end of the motor 64 at the bottom, as viewed in FIGURE 7, through the pipe 134 and the valve 132 to the reservoir 126. Then by positioning the valve 140 so that oil may flow from the pump 124 through the pipe 130 to pipe 144 to the valve 140 then to the pipe 138 to the closed end of the motor 64 at the top, this will force the rod out of the motor and displace oil from the rod end of the top motor 64 to the closed end of the bottom motor 64 displacing oil from the rod end of the bottom motor through pipe 134 and valve 132 to reservoir 126 and moving rods 68 and the carriage 44 to the extended position, thus cutting one sheet of veneer.

To retract the carriage, the valves 132 and 140 must be placed in opposite positions, connecting the pump 124 to pipe 130 to valve 132, to pipe 134, to the rod end of the bottom motor. At the same time, this connects the closed end at the top motor through the pipe 138 to valve 140 and the pipe 142 to the reservoir 126.

When the carriage is retracted, it strikes the rod 156, pumping the right amount of oil from the reservoir 126 through the pipe 150 to the bottom of the motor 82 at the right forcing oil from the top of the motor 82 at the right to the bottom of the motor 82 at the left, thus raising the support member 94 the proper amount for the next slice from the block.

The initial fully extended position of the piston rods 88 is accomplished by opening the valve 182 and positioning the valves 174 and 176 to permit flow through the pipes 148 and 146 between the motors 82. The fluid flow then travels from the pump 124 through the pipes 173 and 180,

motor 82, through the pipe 146 and the valve 176 into the bottom end of the left motor 82 and then returns to the reservoir 126 through the valve 174 and the pipe 148.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in'the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the desired construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A veneer mill comprising a block support, a slicing blade, means mounting said slicing blade for movement over said block support for slicing veneer from a block of wood, and lift means connected to said block support and operable by said slicing blade mounting means on the return stroke of said slicing blade to elevate said block support, said lift means including an extensible fluid motor, a fluid pump, a fluid line connecting said fluid pump to said fluid motor, and an actuator for said fluid pump aligned with said slicing blade mounting means for engagement thereby.

2. A veneer mill comprising a block support, a slicing blade, means mounting said slicing blade for movement over said block support for slicing veneer from a block of wood, and lift means connected to said block support and operable by said slicing blade mounting means on the return stroke of said slicing blade to elevate said block support, said slicing blade mounting means including a trackway, a carriage mounted on said trackway for longitudinal movement, and a fluid actuator system connected to said carriage.

3. A veneer mill comprising a block support, a slicing blade, means mounting said slicing blade for movement over said block support for slicing veneer from a block of wood, and lift means connected to said block support and operable by said slicing blade mounting means on the return stroke of said slicing blade to elevate said block support, said slicing blade mounting means including a trackway, a carriage mounted on said trackway for longitudinal movement, and a fluid actuator system connected to said carriage, said fluid actuator system including a pair of extensible fluid motors connected to opposite sides of said carriage, a reservoir and a pump, piping connecting together said reservoir, said pump and said fluid motors, said fluid motors being connected together in series to assure equal movement of said fluid motors.

4. A veneer mill comprising a block support, a slicing blade, means mounting said slicing blade for movement over said block support for slicing veneer from a block of wood, and lift means connected to said block support and operable by said slicing blade mounting means on the return stroke of said slicing blade to elevate said block support, a tank, said block mounting means being positioned in said tank, and means for circulating heated water on a block carried by said block mounting means.

5. A veneer mill comprising a block support, a slicing blade, means mounting said slicing blade for movement over said block support for slicing veneer from a block of wood, and lift means connected to said block support and operable by said slicing blade mounting means on the return stroke of said slicing blade to elevate said block support, said lift means including a pair of extensible fluid motors, a fluid pump, fluid lines connecting said fluid motors to each other and to said fluid pump in series to assure equal movement of said fluid motors.

6. A veneer mill comprising a block support, a slicing blade, means mounting said slicing blade for movement over said block support for slicing veneer from a block of wood, and lift means connected to said block support and operable by said slicing blade mounting means on the return stroke of said slicing blade to elevate said block support, said lift means including an extensible fluid motor, a fluid pump, a fluid line connecting said fluid pump to said fluid motor, and an actuator for saidfluid pump aligned with said slicing blade mounting means for engagement thereby, said slicing blade mounting means including a trackway, a carriage mounted on said trackway for longitudinal movement, and a fluid actuator systern connected to said carriage.

7. 'Asveneer mill. comprising a block support, a slicing blade, means mounting said slicing blade for movement over said block support for slicing veneer from a block of'wood, and lift means connected to said block support and operable by said slicing blade mounting means on the return stroke of said slicing blade to elevate said block support, said lift means including an extensible fluid -motor, a fluid pump, a fluid line connecting said fluid pump to said fluid motor, and an actuator for said fluid .pump aligned with said slicing blade mounting means for engagement thereby, said slicing blade mounting means including a trackway, a carriage mounted on said track- 'way for longitudinal movement, and a fluid actuator system connected to said carriage, said fluid actuator system including a pair of extensible fluid motors connected to opposite sides of said carriage, a reservoir and a pump,

piping connecting together said reservoir, said pump and said fluid motors, said fluid motors being connected together in series to assure equal movement of said fluid motors.

8. A veneer mill comprising a block support, a slicing blade, means mounting said slicing blade for movement over said block support for slicing veneer from a block of wood, and lift means connected to said block support and operable by said slicing blade mounting means on'the return stroke of said slicing blade to elevate said block support, said lift means including a pair of extensible fluid motors, a fluid pump, fluid lines connecting said fluid motors to each other and to said fluid pump in series to assure equal movement of said fluid motors, said slicing blade mounting means including a trackway, a carriage mounted onsaid trackway for longitudinal movement, and a fluid actuator system connected to said carnage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 131,094 611mm Sept. 3, 1872 325,722 Bausch Sept. 8, 1885 342,939 Smith June 1, 1886 528,247 Austin Oct. 30, 1894 1,815,670 Haworth July 21, 1931 2,365,932 Bierd Dec. 26, 1944 2,592,782 Zweifel et al. Apr. 15, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Austria Dec. 10, 1935 

